Run like your life (and The Montour Trail) depends on it. Join in the running of Burgh's 10K Run and help the cause! Cecil Park, in Cecil, PA, is the place as always and Sunday, April 27, is the date. Join us for a fun day. And if you're not a runner or are pushing a stroller, there's always the 2-Mile Fun Walk. Just be there.

The Daily brothers, race sponsors using the name of their restaurant in Bridgeville (Burgh's Pizza & Wing Pub), will repeat again this year with timing, clothing, cash prizes, motivatin', gyratin' music and great food after the event...extras other races don't offer. As if that weren't reason enough to join in, many also see the race as a great warm-up for the Pittsburgh Marathon to be held May 4.

You may recall that last year the race proceeds of $12,000 completely paid for the 3.5 mile repaving of trail surface from Cecil Park eastward beyond the National Tunnel. That price tag covers only the limestone surface material;the labor cost to install the surface was donated, as was all other race labor.

How can you help with this year's proceeds? One Trail need is to buy a new tractor with an articulating mower arm for surfaces above and below grade. The arm alone can cost $12,000 to $15,000. We need a garage to house and repair our vehicles and other equipment. $50,000 is a modest cost for such a structure, even with volunteer labor thrown in.

But back to the race event: What makes Burgh's 10K Run financially successful each year is the outstanding support coming from the customers and suppliers of Burgh's restaurant. Corporate and individual sponsors come forward to buy ads from the $1,500 level grading to $50 and $100 amounts. Race fees are a break-even item because of the prizes given.

Speaking of the prizes, all awards have been generously increased this year: The top three male and female finishers will each claim $300 for 1st, $200 for 2nd and $100 for 3rd places. To encourage early sign-up, Burgh brothers Dan, Frank and Tom announced the first 350 Run and the first 100 Walk applicants will be given race shorts in their packets.

A new six-foot long "Patron Board" was well received last year. It announced "Let's Help Build The Montour Trail." Diners came to enjoy the great food and fun atmosphere and while there bought name plates to paste on the Board in $1 to $20 amounts (whatever each wanted to contribute). Overall, some $800 was raised. Wouldn't it be great to double that amount this year?

All in all, Burgh's Pizza & Wing Pub's 3rd Annual 10K Run for family friends and fun" is shaping up to be a real winner again this year. More information and an online registration is available on the Internet. Enroll TODAY!

- John Hooton

We're hoping to capture every leg of April 27th's Burgh's 10K Run and 2-Mile Fun Walk, and we need your help.

Shutterbugs both professional and amateur are needed to take pictures along the race route. A collage will be put together to commemorate the event. Photographers who have contributed to the MTC Trail Letter are especially encouraged to help out.

If you are available that Sunday, come out and enjoy a fine spring event with us. Contact John Hooton at 412-257-4101 and let him know of your availability and interest. And thanks!